Hi all, just read this thread. I did speak with Roswell and can confirm that my baby seat is a pure chore to get in and out passed the buckets.
I do however have a specific method. Slide seat completely forward, tilt, get half in the car, lean on tilted seat to force it forward to the limit, manoeuvre seat in at approximately a 45 degree tilt angle watching not to scrape back of seat and then you're in! This is all through the passenger side to get the seat in behind the drivers seat. I actually use my hand as a buffer between the seat and baby seat as it passes the bucket and I know have a permanent red scrape on my knuckles. Very attractive.
More often than not, we leave the seat in the car and just transfer the baby in and out as she's at an age where we can now use the bigger pram attachment.
It's more than the proverbial ball ache.
So much so that I'm changing the S3 as I will be chauffeuring the wee one to nursery as of start of March.
The reason I'm replying now is I was searching to see if I could get the baby seat in the front, but doesn't look possible, well, not easily if I have to retrofit the airbag off.
So, my advice, get an S3 with no buckets or a sportback if you want buckets. Or Roswell, sell your interior to Phil, keep the S3 and give Phil an early Xmas present!
I was up early as usual, so thought I'd give my opinion, hope it helps. And if you know anyone wanting a '10 plate S3, send them my way!!